Welding machine



March 23 1926. I 1,57718 C. L.. STANCLIFF WELDING MACHINE Filed-May 17, 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet l ummmww m mn In .1' "..IIIN u' 33 3Q @j www C. L. STANCLIFF March 23 1926.

WELDING MACHINE 3 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed May 17 1925 IN VEN TOR. C. L. STANcurr NNN @NWN lATTOR EYS.

March 23 1926.

C. L. STANCLIFF WELDING MACHINE Filed May 17 1923 3 Sheets-Sheet, 3

nNAwWMM I N VEN TOR. C, L Su nel. :rr

A TT RNEYS.

tamed Mai. P5265 GnIr'roN L. s'raNcLIrm or BAKERSFIELD, carini()iusun.v` i

WELDING MACHINE.

-' application mea may 17, 19123;, vserial' uaesaesps.

To allv 107mm, it concern." I

Be it known. that I, CLIFTON L. `STAN- GLrFF, a citizen of the United States, and a resident of Bakersfield, county 'of Kern,

and State of California, have invented anew following is a specification.

The present invention relates to improve- `and useful WVelding Machine,ofy which the l@ object is tprovide amachine` allowing two elements to be welded, to be supported in confrontingrelation, to be heated while thus supported by means of a torcharrangement interposed between the two element-s, andl l 'to be f orceduponvone another immediately: lupon the withdrawal of. the torch arrangement.' One o--the most essential features of this arrangement is to produce means al'.- lowing' the operation of -forcing the two elements upon one another 'toA be carried out with suilicientspeedafter the withdrawal of the torch arrangement so as to prevent the cooling of the-confronting faces. Afurther causing the plunger to'be projected through one of the elements to be heated,.if the samel lis a tube, in to the joint to be welded whereby the forming of a burr on the inside of the joint is prevented; A' further object of o vthe invention is to provide an apparatus in conjunotionwith the welding machine which allows a metal element to be cut at any angle desined by the application of heat.

Thepreferred form ofthe invention is `il lustrated in the `accompanying drawings in `which Figures 1 and 1 show a top plan view of my de'vice;- Figures 2' and 2a a side View of the same; 'Figure 3 a`l vertical secdetail view vin plany of `an actuating mechanism for the plunger previously mentioned;

5 Figure 6 a detail view in side elevation .of a torch arrangement for heating the ele-- ments to .be welded; Figure7 a plan view of ments in welding machines and vits particularl .ofaf hand wheel tion taken .along line IIL-III of Figure 2;l Figure-4 a vertical 'section taken valongv line IV-IV of Figure 2a; Figure 5 an enlarged the same; Fi re '8 an enlarged sectional de- A i i 'f1;5`77,318jA 'UNITED'sTATas PATENT OFFICE.

tail .view ta en alongline VIII-#VIII of Figure 3; Figure 9 an enlarged detail View`vr` 'of a mechanism adapted to plunge one ofthe -I have` shown'only the preferred form of the in vention, yit should be understood that various changes orvmodications may be `tables supporting one of the elements forand Figure made within the scope of the claims hereto I attached without ydeparting from the spiritv of the/invention.

The principal 4parts of my device are a stationary table (1), a revolving table 2), and a frevolving torch arrangment i The stationary table (1) consists of a (4) supported in any suitable manner on legs (6.) sec'ured1to one anotherby means of horizontal braces (7). From thle'plate rise 3); plate l in spaced relation two pairs of standards l' (8), each standard ,terminating in a'V shaped upper en'd (9') adapted to engage similarly shaped grooves of a plate l(11) and to supj port the. latter-'with freedom of longitudinally sliding motion. The latter motion may be imparted to the plate "(11) by means of a gear wheel (12), supported in one pair of standards and engaging a rack (13)'zdisposed on the lower face of the plate, a crankl y handle" (14). allowing the operator to rotate the gear wheel (12.). The upper plate (1.1)

has a vise arrangement which may be de` scribed Aas follows: It supports on .blocks (16) two'pairs of rollers `(17) adapted' to forma vpad for one of the elements vto be welded which in this case is the tube (18). The blocks purpose the two blocks of each pair are provided (16) n arejmounted on the plate' v(1'1) with freedom of sliding-motion in a spacingI Y slof with perforated downward projections (19) 'I `adapted to be threadedly engaged by a rod (21) which latter maybe rotated by means (22) andthe handle (23) thereon. The threads engaging the two projections of one pair of blocks run, in the oppositedirection so that a rotary motion of the rod (21) willfforce the two blocks (16) veither. together or apart. ThisV arrangement` allows .the position of the rollers (17 to be adjusted so'that they may convenientlylaccommodate anysize of pipe within the range of the machine."v To hold the pipe, I provide a block (24) adapted the threaded member (26) is turned tothe v right by means of the hand wheell (29) ,the

` block (24) is forced upon the pipe and -rmly holds the same in position.

The table (1) projects beyond its supporting frame to form an extension (31) which is perforated -near its end and adapted tov receive a vertical shaft (32) provided with a collar (33) adapted toArest on the ex- 'tension (31). One end (34) cf thesecond v table (2) is pivoted to the upper end lof the shaft (32) and lrests on the collar The other end of thetable (2), which latter is disposed with its main portion in the same (plane as the table (1), has a legv (36)- exten ing downwardly therefrom, which latter leg is .supported on a wheel (37) allowing the far end of the table (2) to be swung in either direction around the shaft (32). The table (2) `previously referred to as the revolving table, has atrack (38) thereon on which wheels (39) supporting through the bearings (41) aplatform are adapted to travel. The platform 42 has a vise arrangement thereon for supporting the pipe v(44), which correspon s in every way to the vise arrangement described in connection with 'the plate (11).

Normally the truck formed by the platform (42) and the Wheels (39) is in the position indicated in Figure 2 with the pipe (44) disposed suliiciently far from the ipe (18) to allow of the introduction of t e torch arrangement, to be described hereinafter. The truck may be pushed forward with great rapidit by .means of the arrangement shownv in Y of the rod (48) to a standard (49 etail-in Figure .9, and comprising a cylinder (46) rigidly secured to the lower face of the p atform ,(42) and a piston (47) adapted .to reciprocate therein.. The piston is connected b rising from the table (2) which arrangement .pre- -vents the iston yfrom moving. If compressed air is forced between the end of the I' cylinder and the piston the truckI therefore,

has to move to the left. V The inta e (51) for the com ressed air is provided at the left hand end of the cylinder while 'the exhaust (52) is near the right hand 'end but a certain distance away from the same so.as to allow the air disposed rearwardly of the'd exhaust to form a cushion for the piston. The intake for the cylinder connects with a tube (53) leading to a source of compressed air (54)' and controlled by means of a suitable valveV (56). The third principal part of in device is the torch arrangement (3). A e latter means is supportedgon a platform (57) pivoted to lby means of a hand wheel (67) and is adapted to Vbe slid upwardlyv or downwardly by rotating the'rod The sleeve has an arm (69) through a slot (68) in the tubular member (62) and supporting at its end the torch arrangement shown in detail in Figures 6 Iand 7, and comprising a short shaft (71) having a'disc (72) at either end. Each disc has pivoted atits outer face a plurality of torches (73) which may be of any suitable type, as for instance, acetylene torches. The

'discs may be set 'into oscillatory -motion by means of the connecting rod (74) engaging at one end a transverse pin (76) connecting the two discs and at the other enda slot (77 in one of the spokes (78) of a wheel 79 supported on a short shaft (81) exten ing from the arm (69). When the face'of one of the pipes is heated more intensely than 63) exten ing therefrom passing the other face the operator may slide the torches away from 'the said pi e finto closer proximity tothe other pipe Iby means of the member (82) pivoted to the arm (69) as shown at (83). `It will be noticed that when the operator turns the handle (84) of this member tothe right the torches willbe shifted to the left, while when thevoperator turns the handle to the left the torches will be shifted yto the right. ,Y

.Normally the support (59) for the torch arrangement is 1n a substantially vertical position .as shown in Figure', andlwhen thus dis osed the torchesare in their operative position, that is betweenthe two confronting faces of the two members to be welded. The exact position desired, which changes somewhat with the size of the pipes 'to be Welded, may be adjusted by means of the set screws (86) passin through a; brace 87 extending downwardly from the rod 59 and lifting the brace from the platform 57 when turned far enough.

o uickl withdraw the torch arrangement om. lts operative position I use the arrangement 'shown in Fi e 3 comprising a cylinder (88) having a piston (89) reciprocating therein and-aninlet (91) for compressed air. An exhaust (92) near the other end of the cylinder allows the compressed air to leave the cylinder but isdisposed a certain distance away from the end of the cylinder so as to allow of the formation of an air cushion. Thel intake (91) connects with the tube (93) whichlatter is controlled by means of a valve (94). It will thus be i @waaien the torch arrangement will be thrown out of its operative position immediately. At the same time a ylink (96) pivotally connecting the lower end'of'the rod (59) with the handle of the valve (56)- operates the latterl valve so as to open the same and since -this valve, as previously stated, controls the supi" ply of fluid in tube (53) vcommunicating with the cylinder (46) it will be understood that the withdrawal of the torch arrangement is automatically followed-by an immediate jumping forward of the truck (42) It has been noted lthat the table (2) is ,adapted to revolve on` the shaft'` (32). If two pipes of the character described are to be joined at an angle of ninety degrees, the

table (2) can be swung around suiiiciently far to form -an angle of ninety degrees with the table (1). But the execution of this movement calls for a corresponding motion of the support for the torch arrange-` ment, 'which latter to remain operative should be turned an angle of forty-five degrees. To cause a corresponding motion of the torch arrangement support I extend the platform (57 beyond the shaft (32), turn it upwardly as shown at (97) and upon reaching the elevation of .the two tables terminatesin a horizontal shaft (98) supporting a slide (99) connected by meansof rods (101) .to the two tables (1) and (2). Since the two rods (101) are of vequal length the angle formed by the shaft (98) andn the platform (57 with thetwo tables must al-.

c ways be equal so'that the platform (57) always lies on the center line of the angle formedbetween the two tables.

A second .torch arrangement (102) is supported on the opposite lside of the twol tables. A tubular member 103) is pivoted vto the vertical extension (9 of the platform (57 as shown at (104) and provided with a projection (106) allowing its free end to rest onthe shaft (98). A threaded rod (108) within the tub(I is held against endwise motion by means of a collar (109) which a standard 112) rises through a slot in the tube (103). The rodv (108) ma be rotated by means of ahandwheel (113 which allows the standardV to be positioned. The standard terminates in a .f mutilatedO ring`(114) adapted to engage a pipe to be cut so as to surround-the same when the tube (103) is swung on itspivot (104) into a vertical position. .An internal mutilated ring'(11`6) slidablyl engages the ring (114) by means ofl the dovetailed arrangement means of the Worm (119) on the shaft (121) adapted .to` be actuated by means of the handwheel "(122). 'It will be seen that by rmutilated ring (116) -can beoscillated so that va plurallt 'of torches v(123) extending',y inwardly around the pipe so as to'c'ut the same.. Each torch is slidably supported intwo .perforated 'lugs (124.) extendin from lthe ringv (116) with a' collar (126% -resting on the lowerllug and a spring (127 .y exertingcenterwise pressure on the collar (126). Near its end each torch (123) Ais provided with a wheel (128) adapted to ridel on the pipe and to hold the-end of the torch at a certain distance from the pipe.

A modified form of torch arrangement is shown in Figures 10 and 11. This torch. arrangement is designed to be used where solid metal plates or similar shapes are to be welded. It differs from vthe welding. torch arrangement previously described in rom the ring (1,16) -travelv soI so far lthat the arm (69') instead of supporting a disc element, as shown in Figures 6 and ,has a. rectangular block (H129) slidable thereon, with torches (131) extending laterally therefrom in both directions. The

arrangement to push theblock (129) back and lforth. f Otherwise the modified form doesnot distinguish from'the form shown in Figures 6 and 7.

f The operation of scribedis as fellows: If two pieces otpipe are to be welded, one of the pieces (18) is placedin the vise arrangement on the stationary tableI (.1) in .such a manner that its end' to be welded extends to the center line ofthe shaft (32). The second piece (44.) is then placed in the vise on the revolving table with-its inner end in confronting relation to the innerend of the pipe (18) The .torch arrangement shown 1n Figure 3 is then placedso that the torches (7 3) secured to thediscs (72) confront the two ends of the pipes to be-welded, The torches are then l1t andA thea wheel S79) is rotated,

which causes the discs :(72 to oscillate so and threadedly engages a sleeve (1,11) from that the end faces of the two pipes are heated evenly. I the operator should notice that' one pipe is getting hotter than the other one he `may shift the discs (72) by meansviof the member (82) so as to bring the torch" arrangement closer to the `other pipe. After. the pipes have reached the temperature necessary. for the; welding o eration, the operator opens. the valve '(94' which allowsair to enterv into the cylinder (88) through the intake (9 1) so as to piston '(189) downwardly and to withdraw thel torc arrangemet. During this o eration the 'link (96 secured to the rod 59) opens the valve 56), which allows airv to enter the cylinder (46) through'theintake (51).- Sincethe lpiston (47). within the cylinder is stationary, the 'cylinder is the device thus far deifmi push the 0, does not in any. wayaiect -the operation,

forced to the left and talresl'ther truck (42.)-

' along-With it so as to force the pipe (44) v which completes the welding operation. It

i' ment, and it will be readily seen that this' in operative contact Withthe pipe (18),

should be remembered that the main object yof the invention is to. secure immediate action for the advancing of the pipe (44) up-y on the withdrawal ofthe torch arrangeimmediate action is secured in the present invention through thevfact` that the torch arrangement during its withdrawal oper' ates the valve, which vstarts the advancing operation fory the pipe' (44). v v

If 't'is desired to weld two pipes which are cut at an angle, the first pipe is secured' in the vis'e arrangement' of the stationary` table so that the verticalcentenline of'its' end face is 'the same as vthe center line of the shaft (32). The lother .pipe is secured' inthe vise varrangement v'on the revolving table and, the latter tablel is .revolved on 'its hinge, that is, the'shaft .(32),-until the two yend faces to be WeldedA are parallel.- .The

`revolving of the second table also causes f' the torch arrangement to revolve so that the latter always occupies Aa' centralv position relative to Ithe ltwo tables. The torch arrangement may now be adjusted so as to .face thel twoends o f the two pipes tol he welded and heat may then be applied. Af-

ter the heat rises to a desired point the valve 35- thereater the advancing of thetr'uck on the (94) is opened which causes the withdrawal of the ,torch arrangement and immediately revolving table', which pushes the second pilpe in operative'contact with the rst pipe,

ereby the welding 'operation is completed.'

The substitution of a solid Plate f rthe pipe except that preferalvrly".y the' torch--arranget ment shown in Figures l'fand v11is used..

Tocut'a fon the revolving' table.A` The toreh'fa'range- -gt ven lit,;th e handwheejij(12 2) l rotatedl back and'forth whereby theitorch "arran ement is slowlyjoscillated. `tofbllrn t rough the ipe, andfto" thereby cutfthe same.

I it is desired 'tocutftheppe at an angle the4 revolving table-is"` revlv lon the shaft (32)'unti1thetorehfarrangementreaches the desired angle .whereupon-theoperation may fitmshouldbecomellnecessary to provide means f revent' ,at ,the (gint, thl

rformed'.. j; z

Ythe formation of a burrv evice shown in Figures 1* .and l2? may 'be' used.'.-I t comprises a plunfrer "(132) at theendA of "a rack bar y (133) slid- ,ablysuppo'rted in a 4ide member (134) .l The latter isnorma y. supported 'on' two Lamezia 7,( frames. (136) I at an elevation lower than the pipe (44) when the latter is in place so as to not interfere with the proper placing of the pipe (44)'. The guide vmember (134) is' adapted tov be lifted by means of the two cylinders (137) having pistons (13,8) reciprocating therein, which latter pistons are adapted to be raised Iby means ofcompressed air admitted through the vtubes (139) and (141) controlled Aby the valve. The

rod- (143) extending from the piston (138) is forked as shown at (144), Figure 4and supports on a pin (146) a gear wheel (147) meshing with the rack rod y(133) for advancingthe same. The pin (146) also supports'abeveled gear (148) meshing with a vbeveled gear (149) on a longitudinal" shaft (151) supported 1n bearings (152) in the armsof a U vshaped member (153) supported on thepin(146). The` shaft (151) .connects with a long shaft (15.4) through a universal joint (156), and the latter shaft extends-forwardly and connects'through a second universal joint (157) with a short l'shaft (158) supported in abearing (159).A The short shaft terminates in a beveled gear.

(161'), see Figure 5, meshing with a beveled gear (162) supported on the shaft (163) supported on the standard (164). The shaft (163) may be rotated by means of a handle (166).l It will be noted that if the shaft (163) is rotated counter-clockwiseit will rotate the shaft (158) clockwise as viewed from the left hand side of Figure 5, and the shaft (154) and (151) in the same direction with the result that the bevel gear (149') turns the bevel gear (148) counterclockwise and xthrough the action of the gear Wheel (.147) advances the rack rod (133) having the plunger (132) secured thereto. lAfter the twoV pipes (18) and (44) have .been positioned the guide. member (134) is raised by "opening the valve (142) and a1- lowing com ressed air to enter into the cylinders (137)) below the piston (138). After 'perfect' axialalinement of the plungerv (132) and .the pipe has been obtained, the handle (166) is rotated counter-clockwise,

which pushes the plunger (132) `forward in- -to the pipe ('44) This o eration is continued V`until the plunger near y reaches the inner"l '(168) secured to the lower face of the platl A .form (42). Two ratchets (169) and (171)",

the former one-of which is carried on' the 'shaft (163), whilethelatteris fixed to the gear (166), engage -one another in such -a manner that when the shaft (163) is turned counter-clockwise by means 'of the handle -thegear wheel (166) is not affected because a spring (172) allows' the ratchet (169)'*to 'become disengaged from the other ratchet.

(18), the gear wheel (166) is turned counter? clockwise hy the rack (168) and turning the shaft (163) and through lthe same the longitudinal shafts (158), (154) and (151), causes the plunger (132) to advance' into the joint between the two pipes thereby prej venting the forming of a burr. The gear ratio of this transmission` should be such that the plunger advances at about twice the speed of `the truck carrying the pipe (if), since the truck itself moves vand the plunger has to move faster 'to reach the joint in time toassist in the welding operation.

A he angular in cross'section.

tti

f so

`Since 'the plunger, as at Vpresent designed, could'not he used when two pipes are to be joined 'at angle, it has to be disconnected for the latter operation, and `forthis purpose is broken as shown at (172) Vwith a sleeve (173) adapted to he pushed over the hrealr in the shaft. ere the slve engages the shaft the latter, of course.,- should lclaim: .v i 1. ln a weldingmachine, meansv for sup-v porting two elements to hevwelded in confronting relation, means for heating con-j fronting faces of the elements having e same associated therewith for rendering t inactive and means for forcing one of the'v heated faces upon the other in timed relation to the ceasing of the` action of the heating means. l

2. ln a welding machine, means for `.sup-v porting two elements to he welded in 'con-- fronting relation, means for heating confronting faces of the elements havin means associated therewith for rendering. t e same u y lation having 1 means associated therewith inactive and means for forcing `one of-.the heated faces upon the other in -timed relation to the -ceasing of the 'actionof the'heating Jeans, the latter -meana'being actuated by themv i. for renderingthe heating means inactive.

l 3. ln a welding machine,means for sup-v porting two elements tohe weldedin confronting relation, meansfor heating con--l fronting. faces of the elements having means associated therewith for withdrawing ther same and means for forcing one of theheat-j ed faces upon the other in4 timed relation-to the,withdrawall of the heating means.

f. lnl awelding machine, means for supporting two elements to he welded in con-.-

fronting relation, means for heating conf fronting faces of the elements havin means vassociated therewith for withdrawing the;

faces. upon the other and control means for the latter means adapted to be actuated by the withdrawal of the heating means.'

6. In a welding machine, means for weld-` 4ing two elements cut to engage one another at an angle, comprising means for supporting one of the elements, means for supportmg the second element in confronting relation having means associated therewith for swinging the same into an operative angular position, means for heating confronting faces of the elements having means connected therewith for simultaneously swinging` the same into an intermediate angular position, and means for forcing one of the elements upon theother. I 7. lin a welding machine, means for welding two elements cut to engage one another.

at-angle, comprising means for supporting one ofthe elements, means for supporting sor the second element in confronting relation having means associated therewith for,

swingingthe same into an. operative angular position, means -for heating confronting faces o the elements having 'means con-V nected t erewith for simultaneously swinging thesame' into an intermediate angular position, means for rendering the heating 4'means inactive and means for forcing one of the elements upon the other in timed rela- Ation thereto.

8. In a'welding machine, means for weldving twoelementscut to engage one another atan' angle, comprising means for supporting-one vof the elements, means for'supportmgthe second element in confronting refor Swingin fthe' same into an operative angular osrtion, means for heating confronting aces of the elements having means'y connected -therewith for simultaneously. 1

swinging the same into an intermediate angular position, means for withdrawing the l:heating means and means automatlcally controlled loy'the withdrawal means for forcing one of the elements upon the other timedl relation to the withdrawal.

h'welded having angular faces, Acompris- .'ing means for. supporting one of. the elements',fmeans for supporting the second element in. confronting relationto and 1n almeno Y im -iao v9..-lpstioning means for two elements to j i ias ment with the hrst element, means forl centerlinezof the confronting face .of the gswingingjthe second element on the vertical im first element whereby the confrontin faces are made parallel and means for the latter element upon the former.

10.` Positioning means for two elements to be welded comprising means for supporting one of the elements, means forsupporting orcing the second element in confronting relation to the first element and means for imparting longitudinalmotion to the latter element whereby the same is forced upon the former element, comprisingtwo members forming a pressure chamber, a stationary support for one of the members,`gan operative connection between the other member and the second element" andv means for. introducing a pressurel medium into the pressure cham- 11. In a welding machine of the character described, means for supportin two elements to be welded in spaced an confronting relation, a standard pivotally supportedv Ain operative proximity thereto having an arm extending therefrom, a torch. arrange.

. described, means for supporting two elements towbe welde'd in an angular plane in spaced and alined relation, a torch arrange ment havingmeans associated therewith forl supporting the same between the elements, means for swinging one of the elements whereby its face is made parallel with `the face. of the .other element and means. for

lsimultaneously swinging the torch arrangementv into a `position parallel. to' both faces.

13. In a welding machine of the character described, means for supporting two elements to be welded in ann angular plane in spaced and'alined relation, a torch arrangement having means associated therewith forv supporting the same between the elements,

means for swinging one of the elements whereby. its face is made parallel with the r` the other forwelding purposes, comprising face ofthe other element and means for simultaneously swinging the torch arrange mentinto a position parallel to both faces, 'comprising a` bar associated with the torch arrangement having a slide thereon, and arms of equal length associated wlth both elements pivtally engaging the slide.

' `14. In a welding machine of the character described, `1neans for supporting two elements .tobe welded in confronting relation and means for forcing one element upon z1,577,818 Y Q .two members forming a pressure chamber,

a stationary support for one of themembers, an operative connection between the second member and the saidelement and means for introducing a pressure medium into the pressure chamber,` y 15. In a welding machine of the character described, meansfor sup orting two elements to be welded in oonfllonting relation, a plunger'supported inoperative relation to one of theelements, means for forcing the latter element vupon the other element for welding purposes and 'means for simultaneously advancing the plunger into the 'joint -betwe'en the two elements.

. 16. In a welding ymachine of the character described,` means' for. sup orting two elements to be' welded in con routing relation,

a plunger supported'invoperative relation to one' of the elenientanmeans for forcing the latter element uponlthe `other element for welding purposesv andv vmeans` for simultaneously advancing the plunger. into the joint between the two elements, comprising an operative connection between the movable elementand the 'plunger whereby the motion of the` former istransmitted to the latter.. .-j

17. In a welding-machine of thecharacter described, means for supporting` two "'elev ments to bewelded in confronting relation,

afplunger supported rearwardly of one of the elements below the horizontall plane lof the same, means `for raising the plunger into the plane of the element, means for introducing the plunger into the element, means for forcmg the element upon the other element for1 welding purposes and means for simultaneouslyV advancing thc plunger into the joint between the two ele-I' 'ments 18. -In a weldinglmachine; of the character described, meansv for supporting two elements to be welded in confronting relation,

the elements below'jthe horizontal plane of the same, means for raising the plunger into the lplane of the vsaid element, means for introducing the plunger into the element, means for forcing'the element upon the other element for Welding. vpurposes y and means for simultaneously advancing the plunger into the joint betweenl the two elements, comprisin between the Inova leelement and the plunger `whereby .the motion fof the former is transmitted'to the latter.

a plunger supported rearwardly of one of c an operative connection @Limon L. srancmrr. 

